Should you visit Havana or Saint John's?
Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Havana and Saint John's can help you decide which place is right for you.
Havana
The city of Havana is at the top of most peoples' bucket list - mostly because of the allure of a forbidden land. Before the Communist revolution, Cuba was a popular tourist destination. Since it has reopened in the 1990s, it has drawn tourists from all over the world (except the US).
This capital city is a land trapped in the past. With 50 years of neglect, when you step off the plane, prepare to step back in time. A trip to Havana is meant for those with truly open minds - and when they arrive they'll be swept away.
Recently, Cuba has become open to travelers from the U.S., but only through specific travel agencies and tour companies. One of the best ways to get here is to take a cruise to Havana. This way you can have a terrific experience on the boat while also enjoying the culture and history of Havana.
And here's everything you need to know if you're traveling to Cuba as an American.
Saint John's
If you've been to St. John's, Antigua, you were likely on a cruise - which means you likely did not have enough time to truly experience the magic of this tiny island getaway.
St. Johns is the capital of the tiny islands of Antigua and Barbuda. Located on Antigua, this tropical city lives up to its status as a tropical paradise. With 365 beaches on the island, you can enjoy the luxury of lounging in the sand every day of the year.
Which city is cheaper, Saint John's or Havana?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
The average daily cost (per person) in Havana is $53, while the average daily cost in Saint John's is $178. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each city. Below is a breakdown of travel costs for Havana and Saint John's in more detail.
Accommodation
Havana's average price for two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room is $66. A typical place to stay for one person, per day is $33.
If you're traveling alone, you may be able to find a budget hotel or hostel for around $96. But for two people in a standard two-person hotel room in Saint John's the cost is $192 on average.
Food
The price of a meal in Havana can vary widely. However, the average price for food per day is $8.18 per person, and a typical meal will cost around $3.27 based on the spending of previous visitors. Less expensive dining options can be found by eating street food or at fast food restaurants.
In Saint John's travelers spend around $54 a day on food. You can save money by choosing casual restaurants or food stalls, or you can spend plenty more by dining in nicer restaurants at every meal.
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Food
Meals for one day
Havana $8.18
Saint John's $54
Typical Food prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for food and meal costs in Havana:
Local Transportation
While taxis and private drivers typically cost much more than public transportation, people usually spend around $15 per day to get around in Havana.
The average price of local transportation around Saint John's is $14 per person, per day. As this average includes both taxis and public transport, keep in mind that the prices of private drivers and taxis are significantly more expensive than public transportation.
Typical Local Transportation prices in Havana
Here are some examples of typical transportation prices from actual travelers in Havana:
Typical Local Transportation prices in Saint John's
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Saint John's:
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Local Bus
$1.52
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Taxi From Airport
$6.99
Entertainment
Activities, things to do, and other forms of entertainment usually cost around $8.98 per person, per day in Havana. This cost includes the price of admission tickets to attractions and museums as well as daily tours.
Saint John's's costs for entertainment, tickets, attractions, and tours will often cost around $82 per person, per day. This cost can vary widely by the type of activity, however, as this includes admission tickets, day tours, museums, and other things to do.
Typical Entertainment prices in Saint John's
Here are a few typical costs in Saint John's for activities, ticket prices, and tours that come from previous visitors:
Alcohol
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Havana may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $4.61 per day on alcoholic beverages.
While the amount that someone spends on alcohol while visiting Saint John's may vary from person to person, on average a person spends $14 per day on alcoholic beverages.
Typical Alcohol prices in Havana
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for alcohol and nightlife costs in Havana:
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Havana and Saint John's, we can see that Saint John's is more expensive. And not only is Havana much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Havana would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Havana and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Saint John's would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Saint John's than you might in Havana.
